A ground-breaking ceremony has marked the start of work on Anglesey's first "green" primary school.

The new Ysgol-y-Graig on the outskirts of Llangefni will produce its own electricity and sell any extra to the national grid when it opens in 2008.

The design includes solar roof tiles, a wind turbine and a natural habitat for plants and insects on the roof.

The school is set to replace the current building on an industrial estate.

Council leader Gareth Winston Roberts described it as a "real landmark project".

It will be the first new school building on the island since 2002.

"In an age where tackling climate change is high on everyone's agenda, this new school will be state of the art in terms of sustainability and environmental design," Mr Roberts added.

Education portfolio holder John Meirion Davies welcomed the project: "The new school is being built on a green-field site on the outskirts of Llangefni, and will be nearer to the homes of many of the pupils."

Walking and cycling

All internal lighting will be fitted with energy efficient lamps and the school will generate its own electricity, with any surplus electricity being sold back to the national grid.

Parents will also be encouraged to walk their children to school.

"The project includes a new footpath link from the nearby housing estate, providing children with a safe walking or cycling route to school," said Mr Davies.

"The relocation will also greatly reduce the number of cars delivering and collecting the children, improving road safety and a significant drop in CO2 exhaust emissions," he added.